Francisco Lindor is coming into 2021 with something to prove, entering his first season with the Mets in what is his free-agent year.
After fellow shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. cashed in on a 14-year, $340 million contract this past offseason, Lindor could expect a big haul in his free agent year, if he gets to free agency. He could wind up signing an extension with the Mets, and if he does, it will take a lot, as Lindor has proven himself to be one of the best shortstops in a league where star shortstops have become a surplus.
But if you ask Lindor who the best of them all is, he believes it's the one taking the field in Queens this season.
"Overall? Me," Lindor said in an interview with Sports Illustrated. "Because I will do it every single day. I count on myself every single day. Every single day. Trevor Story? I love watching him. We talk hitting and defense. The best hands at the shortstop position right now are Freddy Galvis and Andrelton Simmons. Best hitter? When Seager is at his level I think he's the best hitter."
Some of the league's many superstar shortstops may be better in certain areas, but Lindor believes he's the one who can do it all.
"If we go tool by tool, plenty of them are better than me," Lindor said. "Tatis? He's incredible. And Báez? I've been playing against Báez since I was growing up and it's like, 'Bro, how are you doing this?' There's that fine balance between being confident and being cocky. Sometimes for me it's hard to admit to myself who is the best shortstop. Why? Because of that fine balance. I'm confident. I think I'm the best shortstop."
So, what will it take for the Mets to keep one of the best shortstops in all of baseball? Likely similar money that was just thrown Tatis' way, especially considering that Lindor has been playing at a star level for longer, now entering his seventh season of a career that includes four All-Star selections and a career .833 OPS.
Certainly the Mets will have to do better than what Cleveland offered in its extension talks with Lindor, which he declined before being traded to New York along with Carlos Carrasco.
"It just had to make sense," Lindor said. "Three-forty makes sense. Back in the day maybe 240 makes sense."
Lindor has said he doesn't want to negotiate during the season, which is quickly approaching. But the Mets have been clear in their desire to lock up Lindor long term, and if they do, they'll be securing a shortstop that believes he is the best in the game, and has plenty of accolades to back his claim.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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